1000 days to get debt free!

recurrent-ostrich

Hi all,

After yet another bout of sticking my head in the sand (see username) I find myself a year on and at the same (or similar) level of debt. To be fair, we've had two lovely holidays this year, but nothing to show for them now but memories.

So, I need a kick up the backside and to really get cracking with this debt. We currently owe just over 38 grand, mainly on credit cards, all charging interest.

Family is me, hubby and three kids who are young teens/pre teens. Both hubby and I work full time for the government, in one form or another, and haven't had a pay rise for several years now, whilst the cost of living has gone up.

Why are we in debt? Living beyond our means, in the main. I could do on about when my hubby lost his job, about how we have had an unlucky steak with cars, about how my generous nature means I over buy on gifts, but basically I was was at home, bored, with small kids and got a shopping habit that lasted a good number of years.

We have been through our budget and cut it as far as we are happy to do so. I'm not posting it as we aren't getting rid of Sky, or our internet, and our children are still carrying on with activities, so it's not pared to the bone but to a level that allows us to live, just about. There is no spare cash beyond bills/living costs and debts, and allows us a very small overpay every month.

We have two large loans that have under a year to run, so the plan is to survive for the next 9-10 months, then chuck the loan payment cash at the debts. Estimated DFD is 999 days away, hence the diary title!

I'm hoping that this diary with encourage me to keep to the straight and narrow for the next 1000 days, please feel free to join in!

recurrent-ostrich

Action #1 -I'm deleting ALL emails regarding Sales, and discount codes. I'm a sucker for buying clothes I don't need, for me and the kids and over a few years racked up £2K on my Next account on half price sale stuff I wouldn't have even considered paying full price for.

NO MORE!

I am NOT buying any clothes in the sales, I'm hoping to lose weight in the New Year, so there's no point anyway. I'm NOT buying anything else for Christmas presents as everyone has more than enough, and I'm NOT buying any more crap we don't need.

recurrent-ostrich

Days to go: 996

So, today's plan is to not spend anything. Have made lunch, and have car full of fuel, and paid for son's afterschool lesson last week. Have had loads of sale/discount emails today including one for Boden (*Sob* I LOVE Boden) but I've deleted them as we can't afford to buy any clothes and I don't NEED them! And frankly, it's all blinking aspirational cobblers as we don't have the income for Boden, and me swanning around in it is just something I like.

We are now up to our overdraft limit apart from food/petrol money for the month, so am hoping nothing unexpected comes in from school - I get paid in 2 weeks. I really hate having a massive overdraft -we are NEVER in the black. I think that's one of the things I am looking forward to about being one day debt free, having a credit balance! :rotfl:

Am hoping that DH today sees his folks as we're going to ask them to help out with one of my kid's activity fees -he's at a special Saturday school which is selected by ability, but fee paying. we don't get any assistance because of our income, but that doesn't take into account that we lose over of third of it in debt repayments We do have the fees saved for this year, but if Grandparents will help out that will give us a chunk to pay off a card.

Anyway, if you're reading, say hello!

stoplurking

hi recurrent- ostrich. I just wanted to wish you good luck on your Journey of 1000 days. The "no-spend" rule will give you a chance to test exactly how much being able to buy Boden etc means to you then once your debts are gone you can "swan around" in new stuff to your heart's content, knowing you are not in the red anymore.

Well done on tackling this while you have three children to keep, what a drain those little blighters are. Hope the in-laws feel able to help out with the activities but if not, I'm sure you'll manage now you have got that daily clock ticking away.

Good luck, I'll cheer you on. SL

recurrent-ostrich

Thanks. Hubby spoke to the inlaws and they have refused to help, so guess that's that idea scuppered. I'm a bit peeved, to be honest at the moment as they are off on holiday twice in the next three months, so are hardly strapped for cash, but ho hum. We shall cope, as always, I guess.

Bit deflated though.

recurrent-ostrich

Days to go: 995
Am calmer today. I was really despondent yesterday that the outlaws refused to help us, but this morning am more philosophical about it. Stuff 'em, basically. We'll just get on and do this by ourselves.

Had a no spend day yesterday. Today I have to go to a work Xmas lunch, which will cost about a tenner, but it's been booked for ages, so I can't get out of it. Am peeved about having to spend it, but I guess when you owe what we do, a tenner isn't going to make a huge difference in the general scheme of things. BUT am determined not to get into the habit of a tenner here, a fiver there. Before you know it it's then, fifty quid here, thirty quid there and you're back to square one.

So, hope everyone reading has a lovely day (I know you're out there, so come on in! )

DawnW

Have you got anything you can sell on ebay to help fund the kids' activities? Some of those clothes perhaps?

recurrent-ostrich

DawnW wrote: »

Have you got anything you can sell on ebay to help fund the kids' activities? Some of those clothes perhaps?

Already sold! Well, sold all the stuff that doesn't fit, which was most of it as I lost three stone this year. So at least I'm skinny and skint, huh? :rotfl:

recurrent-ostrich

Days to go: 994

Good day today, took lunch to work and didn't buy anything. Youngest has school disco tonight, £2, but that's from the money I got out the other day for Xmas lunch at work. Have done Tesco online shop for Saturday -£70 for the week including pets plus washing powder and loo roll for the month, which isn't bad. Still have another £140 left from grocery budget and only one more week, so we can have a few treats for the last week of the month over Xmas, which is good. Food shopping has been a sticking point this year, our food bill has regularly been over £120 a week, I work full time 6 days a week and hubby does shifts, so no time to batch cook and we eat at odd times, so it's been tricky, but I think we're getting there. I do find online shopping reduces temptation and we have a prepaid delivery thing, so it's a real saving to not have to go and do it.
Anyway, best do some dinner!

recurrent-ostrich

Days to go: 992

Quiet couple of days in the debt-busting arena! Work has been really busy and hubby on nights, so I feel like I've not stopped for the last few days. I'm looking forward to a quiet and relaxing weekend. Nearly have all credit card bills through for the end of the month, and it's looking like our end of year total will be £37.6K, so slightly better than I was expecting, but waaay worse than we were hoping a year ago.
Sorry this isn't the most thrilling read, but it'd be great to have people's comments

recurrent-ostrich

Gaaah! Boden are doing there best to reel me in -three emails over the last three days with ever-increasing discounts and today a flyer in the post for the 50% sale. Have put it straight into the bin.